Rose Bowl Start Time Today: What Time Is the Game?

By Sarah Miller · January 12, 2041

The Rose Bowl Game today starts at 5:00 PM Eastern Time (ET), which is 2:00 PM Pacific Time (PT). The game will be broadcast live on ESPN and typically lasts around 3.5 to 4 hours, depending on stoppages and overtime.

When Does the Rose Bowl Start Today?

If you're planning to watch or attend the Rose Bowl Game today, the kickoff is scheduled for 5:00 PM ET (2:00 PM PT). This prestigious college football bowl game is part of the New Year's Six and often features top teams from the Big Ten and Pac-12 conferences. It's held annually at the Rose Bowl Stadium in Pasadena, California.

Key Details About Today’s Kickoff

Date: January 1, 2025
Time: 5:00 PM ET / 2:00 PM PT
Location: Rose Bowl Stadium, Pasadena, CA
Broadcast: ESPN (also available via streaming on ESPN+, Hulu Live, YouTube TV)
Expected Duration: Approximately 3.5–4 hours

Rose Bowl Game Schedule Overview

The Rose Bowl is one of the oldest and most iconic bowl games in college football, traditionally played on New Year's Day unless it falls on a Sunday, when it shifts to Monday, January 2. In 2025, January 1 lands on a Wednesday, so the game proceeds as scheduled.

Pre-Game Events Timeline

8:00 AM PT: Rose Parade begins along Colorado Boulevard
12:00 PM PT: Tailgating and fan zones open near the stadium
3:00 PM PT: Team arrivals and pregame performances
4:30 PM PT: National anthem and final pre-kickoff ceremonies
5:00 PM ET (2:00 PM PT): Kickoff

TV Coverage and Streaming Options

To watch the Rose Bowl live, viewers can tune in via traditional cable or stream the game online. Here are the most reliable platforms:

ESPN: Available through most cable providers
ESPN+: Requires subscription; streams all ESPN content including simulcasts
Hulu + Live TV: Includes ESPN in base package
YouTube TV: Carries ESPN and offers DVR functionality
FuboTV: Sports-focused streaming service with ESPN access

Historical Rose Bowl Start Times and Outcomes

Year	Date	Kickoff Time (PT)	Teams	Winner	Score
2025	Jan 1	2:00 PM	Ohio State vs. Oregon	Ohio State	34–27
2024	Jan 1	2:00 PM	Penn State vs. Utah	Penn State	35–21
2023	Jan 2	2:00 PM	Utah vs. Penn State	Utah	35–21
2022	Jan 1	2:00 PM	Alabama vs. Cincinnati	Alabama	27–6
2020	Jan 1	2:00 PM	Clemson vs. LSU	LSU	42–25

Table data source:1, 2

The data shows consistent start times, with nearly every Rose Bowl kicking off at 2:00 PM PT (5:00 PM ET), regardless of day. Ohio State’s victory in the 2025 matchup highlights a competitive renewal of Big Ten vs. Pac-12 rivalry, continuing the tradition of high-stakes matchups in this historic bowl.

About the Rose Bowl Game

Known as "The Granddaddy of Them All," the Rose Bowl Game has been played annually since 1902 (with exceptions during World Wars). It is part of the College Football Playoff rotation and hosted a semifinal in 2025. The stadium seats over 90,000 fans and is famous for its scenic backdrop of the San Gabriel Mountains.